Live Plants

[Dizzi-Lizzi]

Is there a certain way to keep live plants in my tank? I had some, but after a little while, my water started to smell and my shrimp and neons died. I pulled the plants and changed the water, my 4 danios are all still alive, but my aquarium looks empty with out plants

Are you supposed to change them regularly or is there a certain way to keep them from "poisoning" the water?

 

[Akasha72]

it depends on the plant. Some plants are sold as aquatic plants when they arn't really designed for fish tanks. When you say your water started to smell, what did it smell of? If it was a peaty, musty smell that's normal - it means it's a healthy tank. Plants should not 'poison' the water at all - provided they are proper aquatic plants that is. If anything live plants should help to keep the tank healthy as they use up some of your nitrates as 'food'

The only thing to watch with plants is for rotting leaves. If you see any just nip them off as they could foul the water a little.

How long has your tank been running and what are your water parameters as I very much doubt that it was the plants that killed your fish. It's more likely to be a water issue

 

[Dizzi-Lizzi]

It smelt of rotten eggs, it may have been bits of rotten leaves stuck in the gravel maybe? the water has been fine since I removed the plants, there's been MUCH less algae too. My remaining fish seem happier too, much more active. I know I do need some sort of plant life, I just don't want the same senario.

The tank was up and running about a month before I added them

 

[peediedj67]

i bought some aquatic plants but only 3-4 stay burried the rest float on top of tank

 

[littlenemo]

hey dizzi i have a heavy planted tank. you need plant fertz under the gravel and or plant food and possible a co2 system this keeps the plants nice and healthy fish love plants. and with weekly water changes and some trumpet snails they eat rotting leaves = a nice tank tank

 

[Dizzi-Lizzi]

would I need to go to a plant shop or can you get them from a fish shop where you buy the plants from? And I keep getting told snails are a pest? and I only have a small tank, I'm not sure if I have enough surface area for floating plants.

 

[littlenemo]

depends on how many plants you want tank size etc. some snails are good to have i have apples and assains

 

[Dizzi-Lizzi]

they just come randomly on some plants don't they? Or do you buy them?

 

[Akasha72]

pest snails come in on the plants but assasins and apple snails etc can be bought. The Assasin snail will eat pest snails - the clue is in the name really.

Some snails can be really nice - interesting markings etc. I don't have any yet as I've not found one that I like.


Ps - Nemo ... I'm well jealous of your tank - it's stunning

 

[Akasha72]

i bought some aquatic plants but only 3-4 stay burried the rest float on top of tank

Your substrate may not be deep enough. Also some types of substrate isn't as good for gripping onto the plants. Once they get established though and get a good root base going they won't come up. It would take a pretty good tug to get my amazon swords up now as they're really well established.

Try building up your substrate where you want the plants to be. Some like their plants to the back of the tank and it can look really nice to have the substrate really deep at the back and tapering down to the front. My Dad's tank is like this and it looks amazing

 

[Dizzi-Lizzi]

i'll keep an eye out. Thanks guys.

 

[littlenemo]

Thank you. It's starting to get there now. Few more fish and I'm done.